Dublin comes out in force for victory

THE flags are out in force, stapled to every second car window that goes by, the jerseys crowd Henry street, the city is brimming with confidence.

It must have been hard being an Armagh supporter living in Dublin this week. Everywhere you turn, all you see is sky blue.

To many Dubs, tomorrow is just another stepping stone towards a nostalgic showdown with Kerry. For the first time in a long time, the capital is abuzz with Gaelic football, Paidí O’Sé seems to be moulding another great Kerry team. Ah, we are being time warped back to the GAA glory days of the seventies.

Armagh will provide a strong, stubborn challenge, maybe even snatch an early goal thorugh Steven McDonnell. Dublin will shudder awake, Ciaran Whelan will rule the roost at midfield, a Ray Cosgrove goal will get them back in the match, before they go on a scoring spree and run out comfortable winners. That’s the script being prepared among Dubs.

However, it is unlikely to be so easy.

While, there has been some revionism done on the Armagh defence recently, that they are not as good as they are hyped, Tommy Lyons’ side have yet to face the swarming tactics they employ. The concession of 31 points to Sligo may have dented Armagh’s defensive reputation, but two players accounted for nearly 70% of Dublin’s scores in the replay against Donegal. It is asking a lot to expect Whelan to score four points again.

Even more crucial is the fact Armagh have only conceded three goals in this championship, one of those a late Rory Gallagher penalty when the match was well over. It has been goals that have been winning Dublin games and keeping their summer alive. Ray Cosgrove’s goal a game is astonishing, but will he find the sliver of space he needs in a suffocating Croker tomorrow?

While reservations have been expressed about Justin McNulty at full back, Enda McNulty and Francie Bellew are two of the most solid corner backs in the game. Bellew has been the revelation of Armagh’s year. Rarely beaten to a ball, Bellew always seems to be around when the full back is troubled.

If Cosgrove is quiet, Dublin will need more scores from their other forwards, which with the exception of John McNally and Alan Brogan, they haven’t been getting. Shane Ryan has been the detailed the thankless job of keeping tabs on Kieran McGeeney, as much a defensive as offensive task, both Senan Connell and Dessie Farrell will need to appear regularly on the score sheet.

Of course, we shouldn’t ignore the fact that Armagh aren’t free scorers themselves. Although Ronan Clarke and Steven McDonnell have saved Armagh on occasion this year, it has been Oisin McConville’s unerring eye for the posts that has directed them on their path to the promised land. In the two Sligo games, he missed only one free.

What Lyons wouldn’t give for McConville’s accuracy on his side. Surely, there is little argument that the Crossmaglen forward is now the best free taker in the game. Dublin don’t have a similar player, worth five points before a ball is kicked in anger(although Paddy Christie offered himself as an unlikely candidate near the end of the Donegal game) and it is often said you can’t win an All Ireland without a regular free taker.

Lyons will have drilled into players the importance of not fouling within 40 yards, but that shouldn’t hold any concerns for him. Dublin’s defence has been the most pleasant surprise of their summer. Peader Andrews has matured into their best defender, while McConville may score from placed balls, he will be shackled in open play. Coman Goggins will have his hands full with McDonnell, but he is purring with confidence at present. And Clarke’s inexperience may show against the unflappable Christie.

Diarmuid Marsden, that great enigma of the Armagh side, has improved consistently as the summer has moved along. But, if he finds himself drifting into the half forward line, looking for the ball, then Armagh may be blunted inside.

Ultimately, this game could be decided in the diamond. John McEntee is more a midfielder than a centre forward, but having him in the half forward line suits Armagh’s style. Given that there will be a lot of breaks tomorrow, with two fielders of Whelan and Paul McGrane’s quality on display, Johnny Magee and McGeeney could end up having the most significant says on the day.

The Hill is Dublin’s great bonus, their rabid support got into the minds of Donegal players the last day, and while there will be no such metropolian monopoly tomorrow, there is little doubt the Hill hands Dublin three points before the ball is even thrown in. To bet against them at this stage is to go against the grain.

There is certainly more evidence supporting a Dublin victory then, but the growing feeling here is, hoodoos aside, Armagh may sneak through on the blindside.